Rover -> RE: Masters ... does it bother You ... ? (11/13/2007 7:22:08 AM)
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ORIGINAL: sakidorei i didn't mean literally BEFORE the inception of the internet ... i just mean that 10 years ago online, you couldn't really find people who claimed to have been in the lifestyle for ten years who discovered it online Seriously, what stopped them then, or now? There are plenty of people who discover BDSM online and after a week or so claim to have ten plus years in the lifestyle. Then and now. quote:
... knowledge and real life credibility has changed considerably the longer access to so much information has been available online, if that makes sense Sir. The internet HAS changed the face of BDSM in many ways. Please keep that sentiment in mind as you read further. quote:
Ten years ago if you walked into a kink group and referenced something that happened 10 years earlier there was a much higher chance that you didn't get the information off of your computer but from some other real life source. Now, if someone were really of the mind to ... they could fabricate a complex and detailed history of experience for themselves with supporting facts all gleaned from internet articles without EVER having left their house or actually interacted in the least with a single person real time in the lifestyle. There are plenty of people who invent fictional BDSM history, as well as fictional personal biographies. Again, please keep that sentiment in mind as you read further. quote:
We see tons of people who claim a myriad of experiences every day who aren't truthful about them or who exaggerate enormously. Agreed. Please keep that sentiment in mind as you read further. quote:
As to the assumption that my Master is gay or has been gay or is bi ... respectfully Sir, that is incorrect. While the Old Guard He refers to has it's roots in the Old Guard leather community which was predominantly gay there are many people who identify themselves as Old Guard who are very heterosexual Sir. The entire concept of Old Guard verses New Guard is very controversial Sir and of course, as many things in our community ... depends upon Your own beliefs and convictions as to it's historical emergence or what it entails. I was surprised to see you explaining further about your Master's "Old Guard" views since in your post to me you preferred to have him answer for himself. And while I'd still enjoy having him speak for himself, I also wanted to respond here (dang those public forums). Are you aware that "Old Guard" is a derogatory term stemming from an insult to those whose time had passed (ie: they were being called dinosaurs)? It has only been the advent of the internet and its resultant mythology and imagination that has rehabilitated the term "Old Guard" and infused it with meaning that has no historical basis or foundation. You see, documented factual history is not predicated upon one's beliefs and convictions... it is what it is, regardless of your belief system. And in the case of the "Old Guard" (a reference to a people in time, much like "medieval" or "prehistoric") the people and era are well documented. What were the distinguishing characteristics of the people we now refer to as "Old Guard"? 1. They were gay men. (evidently your Master is not gay) 2. They were a meritocracy in which members entered as bottoms and worked their way up to experienced bottoms or Tops. (evidently your Master did not serve as a bottom) 3. They shared a military background. (evidently your Master does have military experience) 4. They were exceptionally exclusive, rather than inclusive. (evidently your Master is inclusive of others) 5. They retained a rigid heirarchy and passion for appearance, though that appearance differed from group to group. (it's unknown whether your Master does or doesn't) I don't know your Master and could be way off base. But from what little information you (and he) have shared, it sounds as though he has quite a bit more in common with the "New Guard" than the "Old Guard". But then, the fictional history associated with the "Old Guard" is so much more kewl. You may want to consider the following information sources for documented factual history related to the "Old Guard": 1. The Leather Archives & Museum: 6418 N. Greenview Avenue Chicago, IL 60626 Phone: 773-761-9200 http://www.leatherarchives.org/ 2. "Old Guard, New Guard" by Gayle Rubin: http://www.black-rose.com/cuiru/archive/4-2/oldguard.html 3. "Old Guard? If You Say So" by Joseph Bean: http://www.iron-rose.com/IR/docs/old_guard.htm 4. "The Myth of the Old Guard" by Jack Rinella: http://www.leatherviews.com/kinkyinfo/9930.htm 5. "The Old Guard: The History of Leather Traditions" by Guy Baldwin: http://www.albanypowerexchange.com/History/old_guard1.htm 6. "Retrospective on the Old Guard" by KJ Howe: http://www.bdsmdebunkingthemyths.com/RetrospectiveOldGuard.htm quote:
The Old Guard my Master speaks of is from a heterosexual experience and focuses primarily on concepts of Honor, Integrity, Obedience, Duty, and Respect. These principles were taken directly from the strict protocol and tradtions of the Old Guard Leather Community and applied to heterosexual BDSM just as it was applied to the Gay Old Guard Leather Community Sir. At great risk of appearing to be disrespectful, where are these "Old Guard" principles and traditions found? What historical documentation is there for their existence? I'm only aware of the general principles I listed above, and anything more specific has been the creation of online fabrications and imaginations. quote:
As i stated, the entire concept is controversial with varying beliefs among BDSM historians about it's origins. Actually, I'm not aware of any varying beliefs amongst BDSM historians. I've provided you with a list of historians and what they have to say about "Old Guard", its origins and practices. I'm always interested in learning more... so please provide a few articles (and links) from BDSM historians who disagree with that view. I would find that fascinating reading. What is controversial is the creation of fictional histories, whether they be personal or for the entire lifestyle. quote:
i guess if my questions have degenerated to this point ... which in and of themselves seemed fair (fair as in ... the points i raised were true .... true as in, there is a designation for this board ... it is not strictly followed) ... with or without my resume ... it would interesting for everyone else to post theirs too if Ours is so vital to our credibility. I would ask the same of anyone making claims that stretch the bounds of believabiltiy (and have done so repeatedly in this forum and others). There's no problem claiming to be an average Joe (or Josephine) with an opinion. But when you claim to be *somebody* and nobody knows you, or claim to be *special* in ways that contradict known and verifiable facts, well... it raises a natural curiosity in people. Inquiring minds want to know. quote:
Having many posts on a message board, regardless of the content does not give any more true credibility than any other claims to experience it just means you've been HERE a couple of years ... maybe less ... maybe more and people are more accustomed to hearing your -voice- (your meaning general not specific to one poster). Message board time in service with related but unverifiable experiences offered might SEEM to give credibility but in truth ... they are worth about as much as anything else. They are what they are ... taken with a LARGE grain of salt ... or three. I'm pleased that you think that way, since you can understand why much of what has been said and claimed seems rather salty from my perspective. John
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